Episode Description
You don't want to miss my chat with Dr. Grant Scarborough, who took off his haz mat gear and took a break from treating coronavirus patients to be on the "Run The Race" podcast. He leads a ministry called MercyMed, which I recently helped raise money for.
I start the episode (2:35) with how my COVID-19 Miles For Hope run went. It was 150 loops around WTVM (where I work), captured on 4 cameras for Facebook Live, garnering $7,000 in donations so far to help the non-profit clinic to test and treat for the coronavirus. You can still give to this great cause at www.wtvm.com/run.
(5:19) Our interview with Dr. Scarborough, founder and executive director for MercyMed of Columbus (GA), starts with how they're battling COVID-19 and how the money raised through the run will be spent. (8:55) We get to know him as he talks about being a father to 4 girls and "watching" his wife exercise.
Then we get into (11:58) the ins and outs of the coronavirus, which Dr. Scarborough describes as the common cold but an unprecedented strain. What are the unknowns even for medical experts? For people that tested positive, how are they walking them through the virus?
(14:18) The doctor also gives his take on shelter in place orders, tough decisions for politicians, what will likely happen when businesses re-open. (15:50) Dr. Scarborough discusses the conditions of the COVID-19 patients he's seeing and treatment options, including zoom calls and a prayer team.
Called into the medical field more than a decade ago, (18:39) this doctor says he wants to see God glorified by caring for the less fortunate - pointing out the Bible's focus on helping the poor, loving others, and also doctors as priests!
So, can faith and medicine coexist? (21:23) Dr. Scarborough says absolutely, there's room for Jesus and science, while prayer and medicines can both be used for healing.
(23:25) We talk about MercyMed, where they care for people more than just physically. The non-profit's origins include clinics for the poor in Memphis TN and Augusta GA, a mission statement focused on Jesus, and what the Bible says about showing mercy.
Dr. Scarborough gives his honest take on (29:39) how fitness and nutrition impact your overall health, an even bigger challenge for the poor focused on simply surviving. People exercising less and eating worse is leading to more obesity which he calls "the biggest health crisis of the day." It's also the 2nd highest risk factor for dying from COVID-19 (after old age).
We close our chat with a prayer. (37:44) In one of my final segments "Food for Thought," I have a story about a Philippines doctor who had COVID-19 and credits her faith with surviving the virus. In fitness news, there's a global event happening Friday April 24 called "Together We Sweat" - free live workouts from Australia, London, NYC, etc. by fitness app ClassPass.
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